INSPIRASUNS

Today, after church, our youth group kids will head out to shop for gifts for a wonderful organization with which we partner. The youth have been raising funds for an Advent service project to provide gifts for 100 children who are part of the Fun Time Academy here in Naples. This organization’s mission is to “provide affordable, high-quality early learning for underserved children from working families, preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond”. 

Well, they have met their goal and will be spending the afternoon braving the stores the weekend before Christmas to shop for kids who might not otherwise have a gift under the tree. A group of parents is helping to coordinate the driving and shopping, and while working with one this week, he shared a special story. He was thanking me for my help with the logistics of the shopping lists and tags for the gift bags, and said, “You’re doing the work, and we get to have the fun”. He went on to say that he had memories of doing this with his parents when he was a kid, and it was so meaningful.

This morning, as I thought about the youth and their day, I smiled, hoping that today will be a memory for them when they have children. I hope that they will teach their children the act of giving back, of lending a hand, and sharing the gift of the baby Jesus wherever they go. I think today will be meaningful for them, as they see the stack of names and wishes from children. They get to be elves today and bring the joy of Christmas to those they don’t even know.

Friends, take some time over the next few days before Christmas to be an elf. Do something simple like delivering a plate of cookies to your next-door neighbor. Buy a coffee for the Salvation Army Kettle worker. Or simply hold the door for the person walking in the store behind you. Give the gift of the baby Jesus, the gift of His love.

Have a great day, friends 🙂 .

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.